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Linux Professional Institute Forum in Poland on Open Source IT careers

(Warsaw, Poland and Kassel, Germany: October 3, 2012) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI: http://www.lpi.org), the world's premier Linux certification organization and its affiliate, LPI-Central Europe (http://www.lpice.eu/), hosted the first LPI Forum, a conference for government officials, Linux professionals and Open Source Software organizations on the future of IT careers at the Warsaw University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland on September 28, 2012.

The LPI Forum brought together more than 50 IT professionals, entrepreneurs, training providers, academic organizations and government representatives to discuss future global IT skills shortages, economic development opportunities, and technology training related to the rapid development of Open Source Software solutions and services in Poland. The event was held under the honorary patronage of the Polish Ministry of the Economy (Ministerstwo Gospodarki: http://bip.mg.gov.pl/).

“The use of Open Source software is more and more common in all industry as a professional solution. Linux, as a mature operating system, is present in the majority of Polish companies and institutions and is recognized by its availability, reliability and security. As well, there is an additional benefit from Open Source code as it is available for public use and free licensing. That's why the Ministry of Economy supports the initiative of the Linux Professional Institute in providing industry leadership and services to enhance and develop lifelong professional careers in Linux and Open Source”. stated Dariusz Bogdan, Poland's Undersecretary of State for the Ministry of Economy during the forum's opening keynote. The forum featured speakers on a number of technology subjects including Free and Open Source Software solutions, professional skills development, IT innovation and entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, Linux certification and workforce development of Linux and Open Source professionals.

"In addition to our regular Linux certification program, LPI looks forward to a longstanding working relationship with the Polish government, industry, educational authorities and other IT organizations to increase professional career prospects in Linux and Open Source Software. LPI is pleased to assist in helping shape the upcoming wave of demand for Open Source Software IT skills." said Mr. Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. Mr. Lacey spoke at the forum on LPI's growing focus on promoting Open Source careers worldwide, the need for foundational learning on Linux and Open Source through such programs as LPI's Linux Essentials, and how strategic partnership initiatives can benefit Polish Open Source organizations and IT professionals.
Other presentations during the conference included:
Ryszard Dalkowski, Microsoft;
Werner Fischer, Thomas-Krenn.AG;
Michal "Rysiek” Wozniak, Polish Foundation for Free and Open Software;
Klaus Behrla, LPI Central Europe; and
Marek Marczykowski, Akademia Linuksa.

The forum also included a panel discussion on the future of IT careers with Jim Lacey, Werner Fischer, Krzysztof Mazepa (CISCO) and Kamil Porembinski (ProofHQ).

Sponsors of the event included Microsoft, Thomas-Krenn.AG, Sybex and other sponsors. Also participating in the event included the Polish Chamber of IT and Telecommunications (PIIT) and the Polish Foundation for Free and Open Software .

"The Polish Foundation for Free and Open Source Software is happy to be a partner of the LPI Forum in Poland and to support the growing involvement of the Linux Professional Institute in Poland. This enhanced role of LPI within Poland offers our IT professionals an additional opportunity to certify their Linux administration skills on LPI's international industry-recognized certification," said Michal Wozniak, president of the Board of Directors of the Polish Foundation for Free and Open Source Software.

The event followed a series of high level meetings between LPI and representatives of the Polish government: Andrzej Regowski, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Administration and Digitalization, Elzbieta Orlowska, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Waldemar Pawlak, Minister of Economy and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland.

LPI-Central Europe has been active in Poland since January 2011. LPI regularly organizes exam labs in Poland in order to support local Linux and Open Source events and to provide an opportunity for IT professionals to take LPI exams at promotional pricing. LPI has held eight such exam labs to date at locations throughout the country. Upcoming LPI exam labs in Poland are planned for Poznan (October 12, 2012) and Kielce (October 13, 2012). The Linux Professional Institute is globally supported by the IT industry, enterprise customers, community professionals, government entities and the educational community. LPI's certification program is supported by an affiliate network spanning five continents and is distributed worldwide in multiple languages at more than 5,000 testing locations. Since 1999, LPI has delivered over 320,000 exams and 120,000 LPIC certifications around the world.

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About the Linux Professional Institute:

The Linux Professional Institute provides a global framework, industry leadership and other services to enhance, develop and further lifelong professional careers in Linux and Open Source technologies. Established as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill standards for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology. LPI advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners, sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities. LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP and IDG.